photo by: Submitted

Scott Reinardy

A longtime newspaper journalist turned academic leader has been named as the first finalist to become the next dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas.

Scott Reinardy, who is serving as the school’s interim dean, will give a public presentation at 2 p.m. on March 30 at Watson Library on the Lawrence campus to outline his vision for the school.

Reinardy worked as a daily newspaper reporter and editor for 14 years before earning his doctorate in journalism from the University of Missouri in 2006. At KU, where he is a professor in news management and editing, Reinardy has conducted extensive research on topics including organizational change in newspaper newsrooms, ethical development of journalists, sports journalism, career burnout in the journalism industry and experiential education.

Prior to joining the KU faculty, he was an assistant professor at Ball State University.

Reinardy is one of four expected finalists for the position, which came open after longtime journalism dean Ann Brill stepped down from the position last year to return to teaching duties at the school.

The other three finalists are expected to be announced just prior to their public presentations at KU, which are set for April 6, April 13 and April 16.